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The tick Ixodes dampfi Cooley 1943, a member of the Pholeoixodes subgenus, was first described from gophers (Geomys sp.) collected in the state of Mexico. However, information on the origin and parasite-host association of I. dampfi is lacking. Here, new records of the occurrence of this tick species were provided nearly 80 years since its original description, in addition to new localities, genetic data, and host-parasite records. A total of four hosts (one Bassariscus astutus, two Didelphis virginiana, and one Peromyscus gratus) from three orders (Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, and Rodentia) were parasitised by seven I. dampfi females. Sequences of the 16S rDNA gene from the ticks exhibited a similarity ranging from 97 (389/403 bp) to 100% (403/403 bp), with the unique sequence of I. dampfi available on GenBank (AF549837). Additionally, Rickettsia-specific 16S rDNA, htrA, and ompA gene assays generated sequences in four of the seven I. dampfi specimens (57.14%). Partial sequences revealed 99-100% genetic identities with Candidatus Rickettsia angustus (GenBank accession HF935069, HF935072, HF935078) and Candidatus Rickettsia kingi (GenBank accession HF935068, HF935071, HF935077) from Canada. Our results represent the first record of this elusive ectoparasite in a natural protected area, which is a triumph for conservation, as accelerated defaunation processes pose the risk of coextinction for many groups of vertebrates and their ectoparasites., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Deer encompass a group of large-sized vertebrates that serve as hosts for a wide variety of ectoparasites, mainly ticks. In Mexico, ticks have relevance as vectors of pathogenic microorganisms, and 20 species of hard ticks are associated with four species of deer, although only a single study has been conducted to detect bacterial agents associated with ticks from deer in the country. In February, 2019 three white-tailed deers (Odocoileus virginianus) were hunted from the locality of Chiná from the municipality of Campeche, Mexico. The sampled deers were parasitized by 26 ticks belonged to three species: Amblyomma mixtum (5♀, 1♂), Amblyomma ovale (2♀, 1♂), and Ixodes sp. cf. Ixodes affinis (15♀, 2♂). Specimens were screened individually for Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia DNA by the amplification of several fragments of 16S rRNA, gltA, 17-kDa, and flaB genes. This study report for the first time the presence of Rickettsia sp. cf. Rickettsia monacensis in Ixodes sp. cf. Ixodes affinis in Mexico.